As you will see from my sig, I have 3, W123 300D's.
In the youngest, the '84, if I am descending a hill and
I shift back to 3rd, I hear the engine RPM rise and I feel the retardation of the engine braking.
On the other 2, when I shift down to 3rd, there is no noticable (audible) increase in engine RPM (no tacho), but I do get some retardation. I have not quantified the differences in vehicle speed on the same hill, but plan on doing so today.
All vehicles drive normally with no flaring during shifts, although they all snatch 1-2 & 2-3 when cold. They all have the same diff ratio.
Is there a problem with the transmission?